St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1887-03-17
when the first letter came addressed

When the first letter came addressed
to Miss Beth Allen in Willis round,
boyish hand, Mr.. Allen frowned and
his wife scolded but when she was
for stopping the correspondence at
once, he said
"There, there, mother let the girl
write to him if she wants to :; she wont
do him any harm, and can trust her
for true Allen not to go far out of the
way"
So the matter had dropped, and for
five years 'Lizabeth's letters were re-
ceived without comment; then they
ceased suddenly and unexpectedly
For months Elizabeth watched the
mails with anxious face. Mrs. Allen
shook her head with an "I told you he
didn't amount to anything" whenever
there was no one but her husband to
hear, and Mr.. Allen waited in silence.
Time does much toward healing such
wounds, and five years had made it
seem more like an unpleasant dream
than reality, when the news of Willis
return came, awakening memories of
other days.
For once Mr.. Allen was weather
wise. The snow had fallen through
the night, covering the earth as with a
mantle; the feathery flakes continued
to come lazily down until just before
IL O'clock, then there was rift in the
western sky, and when the old yellow
sleigh stood at the door the sun shone
as bright as ever.
"Be careful, father, and don't let
Elizabeth get cold waiting for you,"
was Mrs. Aliens parting injunction as
81, tl.n 70 Df
There was just wind enough to lift
the newly fallen snow and send it in
little whirls to lie sparkling anR gsis-
ten a few yards from where it had
fallen. Robin was in excellent spirits,
and Mr.. Allen declared as he drew up
in front of the village post Office that
the distance never seemed SO short.
"Draw the robe close around you,
darter, and don't get tired waiting.
T've got to bargain with Sam Chase
about that stove, but Pll be quick as
can then we'll drive down to Burn
hams and get the book you mention
ed" With this, and an extra pull to
Robins blanket, Mr.. Allen was gone.
"Father was right, the old sleigh is
more comfortable than the new One,"
Elizabeth thought as she nestled down
in one corner, drawing the robe more
closely to keep out the puffs of wind
that tried to find entrance at all cor
ners. While tucking the robes be
tween the cushion and the side of the
sleigh her fingers touched something
smooth like paper.
zone of fathers old receipts, he's so
Careless" she thought, with fond
smile, as she drew it forth for inspec
ton. But glance was needed to show
her mistake.
1t was letter yellow with age, I'M
opened and addressed to herself in the
she knew so we'll. She
could scarcely trust her eyes, but there
was the familiar pOstmark San Fran
ciscO--and she was just leaning for
ward to read the date, when a gust
of wind, taking it from her hands, de-
posted it at the feet of gentleman
who was passing.
She dared not look up, but in Il mo-
ment he was handing it toward her,
saying:
Is this yOnr property, Miss Allen p"
At the sound of the voice, so little
where, the hot blood rushed to her
reply ). -,
She felt the keen eyes search her
face, and there was a touch of scOrn
i'm the question that followed.
at is an old letter addressed to you,
and you never saw it before 2"
She felt as if she must vindicate
herself, and her answer came fullSand
clear.
just found it in the old sleigh. |
do not know how long it has lain
there"
He glanced again at the letter; it
must be the same one ; he knew. the
date so well. The tone was almost
eager now.
"You never saw it before, Beth
You did not receive it, my last letter,
and leave it unanswered p
"COuld you doubt me, Will 2" She
was looking him in the face now.
81 might have known better, but
you were always so punctual, and
when l received no answer to my last
letter was too proud to write and ask
an explanation. | thought you had
given me up, like every one else in b.
Can you forgive me for my want of
2" But he needed not words
for answer.
When Mr.. Allen came hurrying back
the old sleigh had two occupants. 1t
was some time before they could ex-
plain affairs to his bewildered mind,
out when light began to dawn he ex-
at was that jim he's so careless
ost Il letter for me once !"
Will was persuaded to accompany
,hem home, and it was Il very merry
party that surprised Mrs. Allen by
'heir eau y appearance.
AS soon as possible Mr.. Allen hur-
lied his wife off to the kitchen to I'M
'avel the mystery, while Will and
Lizabeth read and re-read the old let
,er by the light of the hickory fire.
What Ruth Miller would say was
source of much anxiety to Mrs. Allen,
Until one day Will remarked, much to
Ter peace of mind, that Ruth had been |
engaged for some time to friend of
lis in the West-a gentleman she met
some years before while visiting in the |
city.
The house upon the hill Will and
Lizabeth call home, and the old yell
Ow sleigh-well, as Mr.. Allen says,
It's not every sleigh that can boast of IA
Omance like that Portland Tran
cript.
He Carried Out the REQUEST.